New Pittsburgh Post-Gazette owners making deep cuts to newsroom staff

Key Points:

• The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette newsroom will be reduced by about half under new ownership by the Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism, with significant cuts to photography and high school sports departments, sparking dismay among staff.
• Reporters underwent reinterviews for their jobs, with many learning of their non-retention through delayed or unclear communication, causing frustration and feelings of disrespect among long-term employees.
• Union leaders and members allege the downsizing disproportionately targeted those who participated in a recent strike, accusing Venetoulis of anti-union discrimination, a claim the new owners deny amid legal obligations to avoid such bias.
• Local officials, including State Rep. Emily Kinkead, have urged Venetoulis to work with the union, warning that ignoring workers' dignity risks alienating the Pittsburgh community, a city known for its strong union presence.
• Despite the cuts, some former employees remain hopeful about the nonprofit ownership model, while union leaders continue efforts to negotiate contracts and explore alternative local journalism initiatives through the Pittsburgh Alliance for People Empowered Reporting (PAPER).